Match books



June 14, 1966 l. KoWARsKY ETAL 3,255,863

MATCH BOOKS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. 24, 1964 kle) FIG. 2

FIG.4

FIG. 3

INVENTORS iESIDVan.. KGWARSKY C. KTQZENY PEG. 5

June 14, 1966 l. KowARsKY ETAL 3,255,868

MATCH BOOKS 2 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 7.

i United States Patent O Filed Dec. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 420,968 2 Claims.(Cl. 20G-29) This invention relates to match books and similar packagedarticles of merchandise. More particularly, this invention relates to abook-like package having a slim profile and possessing improved safetyfeatures.

Conventional match books usually consist of two match combs placed oneon top of the other, each consisting of a plurality of match splintssurrounded by a cover and provided with a staple driven through thereturn flap, the

base of the two match combs, and the back of the cover.

However, the wedge shape of such match books makes them diicult to packin containers or to load or eject from dispensing hoppers and requiresan excsive packing volume. Moreover, conventional match books arefrequenty subjected to compressive forces on the lateral faces of thecover `and back which cause the match combs to spread or fan out andcrack the heads which then break apart and throw burning particles intothe air when struck.

It is, therefore, the prim-ary object of the present invention toprovide match books of extremely thin flat profile which 'areparticularly adapted for easy insertion in packing containers anddispensing hoppers.

It is another object ofthe present invention to provide a match book ofthe` type stated which embodies safety features not associated withconventional match books.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a match bookwhich lends itself to mass production on automatic machinery withoutrequiring the use of extensive manual labor.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a matchbook which is simple to close even after many of the matches have beenremoved, and which protects the match heads from the crushing effects towhich they are so often subjected in conventional match books.

With the above objects in view,.our invention resides in the novelfeatures of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of partspresently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets)- FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof 'a match book constructed in accordance with and embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIGS. 3, 4 and S are sectional views taken along lines 3 3, 4 4, and 55, respectively, of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view of the book opened up flat; and

FIG. 7 is section similar to FIG. 2 showing howthe book is closed.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to thedrawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. A designates a match book comprising two identical matchcombs 1, 2 each being die-cut from thick cardboard and integrallyincluding a base-strip or stub 3 and a plurality of spaced parallelmatch splints 4 extending from one edge of the base 3 constituting itsinside edge provided at their upper ends with match heads 5. Full lengthspaces divide match `splints 4 to accommodate the lateral overhang orprojection of the match heads 5. Generally, the width x of the spaceseparating the match splints is slightly greater than twice the lateralprojection y of match head 5 beyond thelateral marginof splint 4, all asbest illustrated in FIG, 3. For purposes of clarification, but not byway of limitation, 0.110 inch represents a conventient dimension for thewidth of match splint 4 and the space between adjacent splints (i.e.,the dimension x) is preferably 0.039 inch. In that case, dimension y, ofcourse, would be approximately 0.019 inch. Thus, owing to the spacingbetween match splints 4, match heads 5 will lie in a flat layer withoutcausing a :spreading or tanning of the splints 4 in relation to eachother. In other words, the flat faces of the splints 4 and the stub 3are respectively co-planar and parallel.

Provided for co-operation with match combs 1 and 2 is rectangular cover6, constructed preferably from cardboard or similar material. Parallelscore lines 7, S, 9, 10 divide cover 6 into a rectangular closure-flap11, end walls or panels 12 and 13, a bottom panel 14, and a top panel115.

A distance slightly greater than the combined thickness of the cardboardportion of combs 1 and 2 separates score lines 7 and 8 and score lines 9and 10, while the A distances between score lines 8 and 10, and betweenscore line 9 and the opposite end of panel 15, are equal and greater inlength than the overall length of one comb, that is to say the distancefrom the bottom or outside edge 3a of the stub 3 to the outermost endsurface of the match heads 5, plus the length of match heads 5, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7.

The distance `between score line 7 and the opposite side of flap 11 isgreater th-an the length of a match head 5 plus half the width of stub3. The width of cover 6,

. which in effect is the remaining dimension of panels 11,

12, 13, 14, and 15, is somewhat greater than the transverse width of thematch combs 1, 2, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Comb 1 is preferably secured to interior face of panel 14 by a line 16of adhesive which extends across the under face of the stub 3 thereof.The comb -1 is located in reference to the panel 14 in such a mannerthat match heads 5 rest in a line parallel and in close proximity toscore line 8. The splints 4 of the match comb 1 thus lie atwise upon theinterior face of panel 14, but are free from the panel 14 to facilitateeasy removal of individual match splints 4. Similarly match comb 2 issecured to the interior face of panel 15 by a line 17 of adhesive whichextends along one under face of stub 3 thereof, the comb beingpositioned in such a manner that the line of match heads 5 is parallelto score line 9 and in close proximity thereto. As will be seen byreference to FIG. 2, glue line 17 is located inwardly from the margin ofstub 3 of comb 2 so that the terminal portion of the stub 3 is free fromthe panel 15 to form a slit-like recess or crack c for receiving themarginal portion of the flap 11, thereby holding the cover panel 14 inclosed packet forming position. As shown the glue line 17 is narrowerthan the glue line 16 but this is not essential.

When the match book A is closed, the match combs 1, 2, alternately restone on top the other with their respective match heads 5 extendingslightly beyond the correspondingly opposite stub 3 of the oppositecomb, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. In other words, match heads 5 ofcomb 1 fall within space 18 between stub 3 of comb 2 and panel =13,while match heads 5 of comb 2 fall within space 19, `between stub 3 ofcomb 1 and panel 12, thereby forming a match book of extremely thin atprofile. A compressive force applied to panels 14 and 15 thereforecannot seriously deform the components of the match book, and by reasonof the spaces 18 and 19 and the alternate positions of the match combs1, 2, the match heads 5 are substantially free from crushing effects andare thus completely protected.

Inserting flap 11 in the slit-like recess or crack c formed between theunattached m-arginal section of stub Patented June 14, 1966 j 3 of comb2 and the inwardly presented face of'panel keeps the match book tightlyclosed.

A striker strip is preferably imprinted or otherwise suitably appliedupon the center of the outwardly presented face of panel 14 parallel to,and about midway between, lines 8 and 10. This striker strip however canbe located elsewhere than centrally of the panel 14 and, for thatmatter, can be located on the panel 15, if desired. When a user lights amatch by striking it on striker strip 20, panel 14 will shield thematches remaining in the book from the open flame or any stray sparks,whether the match book be open or closed.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the Kform,construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of thematch books may be made and substituted for those herein shown anddescribed without departing from the nature or principle of ourinvention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A match book comprising first and second match combs and a cover forthe combs, each comb comprising a flat rectangular base and a pluralityof splints extending from one edge of the base constituting its in sideedge, the opposite edge of the base constituting its outside edge, each-splint having a pyrotechnic head on its free end, said cover comprisingan elongate foldable strip having a rst pair of relatively clo-selyspaced score lines extending transversely across the strip relativelyclosely adjacent one end of the strip and a second pair of relativelyclosely spaced score lines extending transversely across the `stripgenerally midway between the rst pair of score lines and the other endof the strip subdividing the strip into a back panel constituted by theportion of the strip between said pairs of fold lines, a rst end wall atone end of the back panel constituted by the portion of the stripbetween the first pair of score lines integrally hinged to said :one endof the back panel, a second end wall at the other end of the back panelconstituted by the portion of the strip between the second pair of scorelines integrally hinged to said other end of the back panel, a frontpanel constituted by the portion of the strip between the second pair ofscore lines and said other end of the strip integrally hinged to saidsecond end wall, and a closure flap constituted by the relatively shortportion of the strip between the first pair of score lines and the saidone end of the strip integrally hinged to said first end wall, each ofsaid front and back panels having a length somewhat greater than thelength of a comb plus the length of the pyrotechnic heads, the .rst comblying on the inside of the back panel with the outside edge of its baseadjacent but spaced from said ysecond end wall and its splints extendingtoward the rst end wall and with the tips of the heads on its splintslying closely adjacent the first end wall, leaving a first head :spacebetween said second end wall and the outside edge of the base of saidfirst comb, and having its base secured to the back panel, the secondcomb lying on the inside of the front panel with the outside edge of:its base adjacent but spaced from said other end of the strip and itssplints extending toward said :second end wall and with the tips of theheads on its splints closely adjacent to said second end wall, leaving asecond head space between said first end wall and the outside edge ofthe base of said second comb, and having its base secured to the frontpanel in a region spaced inward from the outside edge of the base ofsaid second comb, said closure llap being adapted to be tucked inbetween the base of said `second comb and said `front panel to close thebook, said combs, in the closed condition of the cover strip, beingoffset endwise one from the other and reversed one with respect to theother with the heads of the second comb in said rst head space and theheads of the rst comb in said `second head space, whereby said panelslie substantially parallel so that the book is of flat profile andresistant to crushing of the heads,

2. A match book as set forth in claim 1 wherein, as to each comb,adjacent splints `are spaced such a distance in relation to the width ofthe pyrotechnic heads that they may lie flat in the plane of the base ofthe comb.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,154,586 9/1915Parker 206--29 1,763,763 6/1930 Denmead 206--29 2,140,241 12/1938 Linker206-29 2,160,180 5/1939 Stone 206-29 2,331,495 10/1943 Nolan 206*29FOREIGN PATENTS 704,841 2/1931 France. 412,501 6/1934 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

I. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MATCH BOOK COMPRISING A FIRST AND SECOND MATCH COMBS AND A COVERFOR THE COMBS, EACH COMB COMPRISING A FLAT RECTANGULAR BASE AND APLURALITY OF SPLINTS EXTENDING FROM ONE EDGE OF THE BASE CONSTITUTINGITS INSIDE EDGE, THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF THE BASE CONSTITUTING ITS OUTSIDEEDGE, EACH SPLINT HAVING A PYROTECHNIC HEAD ON ITS FREE END, SAID COVERCOMPRISING AN ELONGATE FOLDABLE STRIP HAVING A FIRST PAIR OF RELATIVELYCLOSELY SPACED SCORE LINES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE STRIPRELATIVELY CLOSELY ADJACENT ONE END OF THE STRIP AND A SECOND PAIR OFRELATIVELY CLOSELY SPACED SCORE LINES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THESTRIP GENERALLY MIDWAY BETWEEN THE FIRST PAIR OF SCORE LINES AND THEOTHER END OF THE STRIP SUBDIVIDING THE STRIP INTO A BACK PANELCONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF FOLDLINES, A FIRST END WALL AT ONE END OF THE BACK PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THEPORTION OF THE STIP BETWEEN THE FIRST PAIR OF SCORE LINES INTEGRALLYHINGED TO SAID ONE END OF THE BACK PANEL, A SECOND END WALLS AT THEOTHER END OF THE BACK PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THE STRIPBETWEEN THE SECOND PAIR OF SCORE LINES INTEGRALLY HINGED TO SAID OTHEREND OF THE BACK PANEL, A FRONG PANEL CONSTITUTED BY THE PORTION OF THESTRIP BETWEEN THE SECOND PAIR OF SCORE LINES AND SAID OTHER END OF THESTRIP INTEGRALLY HINGED TO SAID SECOND END WALL, AND A CLOSURE FLAPCONSTITUTED BY THE RELATIVELY SHORT PORTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THEFIRST PAIR OF SCORE LINES AND THE SAID ONE END OF THE STRIP INTEGRALLYHINGED TO SAID FIRST END WALL, EACH OF SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS HAVINGA LENGTH SOMEWHAT GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF A COMB PLUS THE LENGTH OFTHE PYROTECHINIC HEADS, THE FIRST COMB LYING ON THE INSIDE OF THE BACKPANEL WITH THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF ITS BASE ADJACENT BUT SPACED FROM SAIDSECOND END WALL AND ITS SPLINTS EXTENDING TOWARD THE FIRST END WALL ANDWITH THE TIPS OF THE HEADS ON IT SPLINTS LYING CLOSELY ADJACENT THEFIRST END WALL, LEAVING A FIRST HEAD SPACE BETWEEN SAID SECOND END WALLAND THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BASE OF SAID FIRST COMB, AND HAVING ITS BASESECURED TO THE BACK PANEL, THE SECOND COMB LYING ON THE INSIDE OF THEFRONT PANEL WITH THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF ITS BASE ADJACENT BUT SPACED FROMSAID OTHER END OF THE STRIP AND ITS SPLINTS EXTENDING TOWARD SAID SECONDEND WALL AND WITH THE TIPS OF THE HEADS ON IT SPLINTS CLOSELY ADJACENTTO SAID SECOND END WALL, LEAVING A SECOND HEAD SPACE BETWEEN SAID FIRSTEND WALL AND THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BASE OF SAID SECOND COMB, ANDHAVING ITS BASE SECURED TO THE FRONT PANEL IN A REGION SPACED INWARDFROM THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BASE OF SAID SECOND COMB, SAID CLOSURE FLAPBEING ADAPTED TO BE TUCKED IN BETWEEN THE BASE OIF SAID SECOND COMB ANDSAID FRONT PANEL TO CLOSE THE BOOK, AND COMBS, IN THE CLOSED CONDITIONOF THE COVER STRIP, BEING OFFSET ENDWISE ONE FROM THE OTHERE ANDREVERSED ONE WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER WITH THE HEADS OF THE SECOND COMBIN SAID FIRST HEAD SPACE AND THE HEADS OF THE FIRST COMB IN SAID SECONDHEAD SPACE, WHEREBY SAID PANELS LIE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SO THAT THEBOOK IS OF FLAT PROFILE AND RESISTANT TO CRUSHING OF THE HEADS.